Apparent coupling between atmospheric convection and oceanic Kelvin waves

Observations suggest that atmospheric convection initially associated with the Madden-Julian Oscillation (MJO) occasionally becomes coupled to oceanic Kelvin waves in the Pacific Ocean. This convection propagates more slowly eastward than the average MJO signal but more quickly than that attributed to the El Niño/Southern Oscillation. Surface westerly winds associated with the convection increase sea surface height, and generate eastward currents that advect warm water eastward. This presentation will assess processes involved in the coupling, including zonal warm water advection, atmospheric convection, low-level wind convergence, radiation and enhanced evaporation. In-situ, remotely sensed, and reanalysis atmospheric and oceanic data composited over several events will be presented to illustrate the typical behavior of the atmosphere and ocean in a coupled event.